What type of activity requires a permit?

A permit is required for the export of any indigenous flora species and the import of certain flora species into the Western Cape.

Why do I need a permit?

In terms of section 70 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, no person may export any flora from the Western Cape or import any protected flora specified in CITES appendix II into the province without a permit.

Note that the export or import of any CITES-listed flora species into or out of the country via the Western Cape must follow the CITES application process.

How do I go about getting a permit?

You can either submit a completed application form and supporting documents (including proof of payment) to permits.fax@capenature.co.za, or you can apply online through the CapeNature permits portal here.

How long will it take me to get a permit?

It will take 10 working days to obtain a permit.

What is the cost of the administration fee?

A permit costs R150.

What type of activity requires a permit?

The possession, transport or sale of any endangered flora species requires an appropriate permit.

Why do I need a permit?

In terms of section 62 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, no person without a permit shall be in possession of any endangered flora in the Western Cape. They may also not sell, buy, donate, receive as a donation or pick endangered flora in the province – or import it into, export it from or transport it in or through the province – without a permit.

How do I go about getting a permit?

You can either submit a completed application form (see the relevant forms below) and supporting documents (including proof of payment) to permits.fax@capenature.co.za, or you can apply online through the CapeNature permits portal here.

How long will it take me to get a permit?

It will take 30 working days to obtain a permit.

What is the cost of the administration fee?

A permit costs R150.

What type of activity requires a permit?

The sale of all cultivated endangered flora species requires registration and a permit.

Why do I need a permit?

In terms of section 62 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, no one may sell any endangered flora that they have cultivated without: 

• Being registered as a grower of that species of endangered flora
• Receiving a permit to sell the endangered flora in question

No permit is required to purchase, receive as a donation, transport or be in possession of any endangered flora that has been sold or donated by a registered grower/seller of endangered flora. In such instances, a receipt or similar written document will suffice as proof.

Kindly take note, however, that a receipt or similar written document does not permit the export of any endangered flora from the Western Cape. A separate permit must be applied for in order to export any endangered flora from the province.

It is also important to note that in the case of cycads, annual permits to sell endangered flora are applicable only to plants classified as “seedlings”.

Cycad seedlings are any species of cycad with a stem diameter less than 15cm, other than the following species, where any plant with a stem diameter less than 7cm is regarded as a seedling: 

• Encephalartos caffer 
• E. cerinus 
• E. cupidus 
• E. humilis 
• E. ngoyanis 
• E. umbeluziensis

Any plant with a stem diameter greater than 15cm (or greater than 7cm for the above-mentioned six species) is classified as an “adult plant”. To sell, buy, donate, etc, any such plant that is legally in one’s possession requires the prior acquisition of an “endangered flora permit”, as outlined below.

How do I go about getting a permit?

You can either submit a completed application form and supporting documents (including proof of payment) to permits.fax@capenature.co.za, or you can apply online through the CapeNature permits portal here.

How long will it take me to get a permit?

It will take 30 working days to obtain a permit.

What is the cost of the administration fee?

The permit costs R150.

There is no fee for the sale of artificially propagated flora.

What type of activity requires a permit?

The sale of all protected flora species requires a permit.

Why do I need a permit?

In terms of section 65 of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, no person may sell protected flora without registering in advance as a flora grower or seller and acquiring the appropriate licence to sell protected flora.

How do I go about getting a permit?

You can either submit a completed application form and supporting documents (including proof of payment) to permits.fax@capenature.co.za, or you can apply online through the CapeNature permits portal here.

How long will it take me to get a permit?

It will take 30 working days to obtain a permit.

What is the cost of the administration fee?

The permit costs R250.

There is no fee for the sale of artificially propagated flora.